Chelsea and Manchester United have both been dealt a blow in their pursuit of cover at right-back as RC Lens star Jonathan Clauss has been confirmed as a new Marseilles player on Wednesday afternoon.
The French international enjoyed an impressive season that saw him return 5 goals and 11 assists in 27 top flight appearances, earning his Les Blues debut in the process, and had caught the eye of a host of top clubs.
The 29-year-old Frenchman had been linked as a potential option for both Premier League giants, with Chelsea keen to find a suitable backup for Reece James this season amid concerns Cesar Azpilicueta may be Barcelona bound.
Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag is thought to be unhappy with his current right-back choices and Aaron wan-Bissaka is likely to leave the club this summer, leaving just Diogo Dalot as a viable option in that position.
However, both sides have been beaten to the punch by the French side, who have agreed a deal for him to make the switch to the Stade Veledrome this summer for an undisclosed fee.
🔄 Après deux saisons inoubliables ❤️💛 marquées par une révélation, la confirmation, des distinctions jusqu’à la sélection tricolore… Jonathan Clauss poursuit sa carrière à l’@OM_Officiel.
Merci pour toutes ces émotions, Jo’ !
▶️ https://t.co/QtuP23Uxn0#FierDetreLensois pic.twitter.com/pL3ggQTqm2
— Racing Club de Lens (@RCLens) July 20, 2022
Alternatives thin on the ground
Links to alternatives to Clauss remain thin on the ground at present, though Manchester United have been linked with a move for Inter defender Denzel Dumfries, with the Italian side having to sell this summer in order to balance their books.
